FHSU Rallies for Fourth Straight Win

The Fort Hays State Tigers outscore Lincoln 21-3 after falling behind by eight in the third quarter and beat the Lincoln Blue Tigers 45-35 Saturday afternoon in Jefferson City, Missouri. The win is the Tigers fourth straight and improves them to 4-4 on the season and 3-4 in the MIAA. Lincoln drops their 11th-straight conference game and falls to 1-7 overall and 0-7 in the MIAA.

The Tigers forced a fumble on the second play of the game then scored three plays later on a 32-yard touchdown catch from freshman Isaiah Maxi. Edward Smith’s one-yard TD run pushed the lead to 14-0 with 4:46 to play in the first.

Lincoln came storming back, outscoring the Tigers 25-10 in the second quarter and led 25-24 at the half.

The Blue Tigers forced a fumble on the Tigers first series of the third quarter when they sacked quarterback Treveon Albert on fourth down. They would march 57 yards in nine plays and take a 32-24 lead with 9:18 to play in the third.

A career-best 68-yard punt by Cameron Owens pinned Lincoln at their own one. Daniel Lindsey then picked off a pass at the 30 setting up a 16-yard TD pass to freshman Bilal Salat. to pull FHSU within a point at 32-31 with 5:06 to play in third.

A muffed punt return by Keaton Callins gave Lincoln the ball back at the Tiger 21, but FHSU held the Blue Tigers to a field goal.

The Tigers would answer with 10-play 70-yard scoring drive, capped by Edward Smith’s second rushing touchdown of the game to put FHSU in the lead for good at 38-35 with 10:48 to play. A fumble recovery near mid field gave the Tigers the ball back and they would ice the game on Andre Smith’s 24-yard TD run on fourth and two. Michael Terry picked off a pass on the next possession and the Tiger ran out the clock.

The Tigers finished with 463 yards off offense and Lincoln with 455. Treveon Albert completed 22 of 34 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Andre Smith had 98 rushing yards on 21 carries and Tanner Hageman grabbed a team-high six passes for 58 yards.